Chapter 5 Crossing Neighborhood

Natalie’s POV

“I don’t sleep with married women, ma’am. Especially not when they’re drunk.”

Daniel’s calm voice, touched with a faint French accent, made me blink in confusion.

What??

My brows pulled together. “How do you know that?” I snapped.

He looked genuinely puzzled. “It’s a principle,” he said simply. “You don’t touch what isn’t yours.”

How sweet…If only that was my real problem.

I pressed my fingers to my temples as a sharp headache throbbed behind my eyes.

“No, that’s not what I meant,” I muttered. “Why would you think I’m married?”

He studied me for a second, then said casually,

“You’re married to Mr. Mirren, aren’t you?”

My heart stopped.

“You shouldn’t let him treat you like that,” he added, his expression softening with something dangerously close to pity.

My stomach dropped.

No one knew. 

No. One.

Not his family. Not the media. Not even the people living under the same roof. Only the lawyer.

So how on earth…

“How do you know that?” My voice came out sharper this time, edged with panic.

“You told me last night,” he simply said, shrugging his shoulders.

I froze.

Last night…

Fragments of blurry memories flickered in my mind—music, lights, alcohol… Rafael…

Oh God.

I took a step back, shaking my head.

No. No, no, no.

If Rafael found out I had revealed our secret—especially after his engagement party—I couldn’t even imagine his reaction.

His cold eyes. His anger. His control.

What would he think of me? Trying to manipulate him?

A chill ran down my spine.

I forced a laugh, the sound dry and unnatural. “Me? Married?” I waved a hand dismissively. “That’s ridiculous. I must’ve been talking nonsense.”

I prayed he would believe.

But Daniel tilted his head slightly, clearly unconvinced.

“I was drunk,” I added quickly. “And when I’m drunk, I say stupid things. Raf is…” I stopped myself, thinking carefully, before I said too much. Before I slipped again.

He raised both hands in surrender, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “As you say, beautiful.”

But then his eyes flickered with amusement.

“Still… the way he was looking at you last night?” he added. “Didn’t seem like a joke.”

My breath hitched.

So Rafael did notice. Of course he did. That man notices everything.

How would I face him after that?

I turned away quickly, searching the couch. “Where’s my phone?”

“There wasn’t one with you,” Daniel replied.

Great.

Just perfect.

I moved toward the window, trying to steady my thoughts—and froze.

Mirren Mansion stood just across the block. Huge. Dominant. Untouchable. A castle among villas.

So close… yet suddenly it felt like a battlefield waiting for me.

I glanced down at my dress. Still last night’s outfit. Wrinkled. Obvious.

That was dangerous. If anyone saw me like this…

If the paparazzi caught even one photo…

[Director Of PR Caught Leaving A Man’s House After Engagement Night.] I could already see the headlines.

My career would be over before noon. My boss—which was Rafael himself—hated social scandals, and he fired employees for that.

I exhaled slowly and turned back.

Daniel was leaning against the kitchen counter, making coffee, watching me with an amused expression.

God, this man was too relaxed for someone standing in the middle of my crisis.

“I need clothes,” I said bluntly. “A dress. Or jeans. Anything.”

He glanced down at himself, then back at me. “As you can see, I don’t exactly stock women’s fashion.” Raising a brow.

“You brought me here,” I snapped. “You fix it.”

He checked his watch. “I have work.”

Then, after a pause, his lips curved slightly.

“You could wear my sports clothes,” he suggested. “Pretend you were out training.”

His gaze flickered—briefly, shamelessly—over my body. “I think it’ll suit you.”

“Hey!” I shot back, narrowing my eyes.

But… he wasn’t wrong. It was actually the safest option.

“Fine,” I muttered. “Then you’re coming with me.”

He blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You’ll wear sportswear too,” I said quickly. “You’ll act like my trainer.”

He stared at me like I’d lost my mind.

“I’m serious,” I insisted. “If anyone sees me alone like this, it’ll raise questions.” I meant Rafael by that. How else I would explain why I was out in the early morning.

After a long pause, he sighed. “You’re trouble,” he muttered through clinched teeth.

“Tell me something I don’t know.” I rolled my eyes.

A few minutes later, I stepped out of his room wearing his oversized sports shirt and shorts.

I glanced at myself.

…Okay.

It actually looked good. Too good.

The fabric clung just enough to highlight my curves.

Daniel noticed too. “See?” he smirked. “Perfect fit.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t push it.”

To avoid attention, I tied my hair into a high ponytail. Daniel added a cap and sunglasses.

We looked… believable.

Almost.

Until I looked down. 

Heels. Damn it.

“I can’t run in these.”

“You can wear mine,” he said.

I stared at him. “Your shoes are twice my size.”

“We’ll fill them with cotton.”

I hesitated. Then sighed. “Fine.”

We jogged slowly through the neighborhood. Every step felt awkward, but manageable.

A few women glanced at us. Watching carfully. Judging I guess. Calculating if there was something to spread.

I smiled politely, pretending everything was perfectly normal.

Like I wasn’t sneaking back home after the worst night of my life.

Like my heart wasn’t racing. Like Rafael wasn’t waiting.

When Mirren Mansion finally came into view, my chest tightened. It felt like a battlefield not a home now.

I slowed down. Then stopped.

Daniel glanced at me. “You okay?”

No. 

Not even close. But I forced a smile.

“Yeah,” I said lightly. “Welcome to the lion’s den.”

Then, before I could change my mind, I added… “Come in. At least let me offer you coffee.” convinced he would refuse. He was already late for work.

He raised a brow, surprised. But then he smiled. “Now that,” he said, “I won’t refuse.”